A FOOTBALLER who has spent the last decade playing for his hometown club has hung up his boots after playing against the club he supports.

Steven Girdwood lined up against Hearts at New Countess Park last Tuesday evening, with money raised through the gate being passed on to charity.

Although the Jambos won 5-3, Girdwood was on the scoresheet before coming off with less than quarter of an hour to go.

He said: “It was emotional, actually.

“I had friends and family down watching it and I had a lump in my throat when I was coming off.

“I came off with about ten minutes left and a friend I had played amateurs with years ago replaced me, I had a real lump in my throat.”

The right sided midfielder is calling it a day after work commitments cut short his season last year.

The 31-year-old spent six months working as a scaffolder at Sizewell Power Station, in Suffolk, as well as at Hartlepool Power Station, which saw him missing training and matches.

Girdwood made the switch in 2006 from West Barns Star and admitted he did not think he would be with the Seasiders ten years later.

He said: “To be honest, I didn't think I was good enough to make the team.

“I was surprised when I made my debut for the club but I never ever thought I would be here ten years; definitely not.”

The Hearts team, managed by former Rangers and Dundee United striker Jon Daly, featured Robbie Buchanan and Callum Morrison, who have played for the first team at Tynecastle.

The Premiership side had opened the scoring before Girdwood, of Steadings Crescent, was given his chance to level things from the penalty spot.

He said: “It was a handball in the box – I thought it was a bit soft but the ref gave it so I was not going to complain!”

The money raised on the night will be passed to Macmillan Cancer Support and follows on the heels of £1,400 being presented to Marie Curie Cancer Care earlier this year on the back of a race night.

The charity's were chosen in memory of Girdwood's former team-mate Adam Cheetham, who passed away in 2009.

Dunbar boss Geoff Jones praised his player and told the Courier: “Throughout a player's career one of football's greatest gifts is meeting and making new friends, and I have had the pleasure of knowing Steven for about 15 years.

“We were teammates for many years here at Dunbar United and in the earlier years before family became the epicentre, we enjoyed a number of drunken team nights out - some of which are best left unmentioned and confined to history.

“More importantly Steven is a very good football player, highlighted by the fact he's been retained at this club during the tenure of three different managers.

“He deserves the recognition of such great longevity in Junior football and commitment to Dunbar United.

“However, what I really admire most about Steven is his loyalty and integrity.

“When I returned to the club as a manager two years ago, there were no players signed for the coming season.

“My first task was to arrange a meeting with a sceptical squad of out of contract players who were all quite rightly very loyal to the outgoing manager, who had brought most of them to the club.

“Upon delivering my sales pitch I asked the players who was willing to give me a chance, and before I was finished the sentence Steve stood up and said 'I'm staying – 100 per cent'.

“I won't forget that!”